Childhood Trajectories of Anxiousness and Disruptiveness as Predictors of Suicide Attempts

The association of childhood trajectories of anxiousness & disruptiveness with suicide attempts in early adulthood was investigated in a prospective cohort study of French-Canadian children. 1144 individuals participated in the study in early adulthood. In contrast to anxiousness trajectories, disruptiveness & joint trajectories made statistically significant contribtuions to suicide attempts. No support for mediation by adolescent anxiety/mood or disruptive disorders was found. Gender, however, moderated the effect of joint trajectories, increasing the risk of suicide attempts in women but not men displaying both anxious & disruptive traits as children. (46 refs.)